Zoning Administration Division

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our offices are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
703-324-1314 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Pkwy.
Fairfax, VA 22035
Leslie Johnson
Zoning Administrator

Department Resources

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Sign Regulations Part II – Adopted Zoning Ordinance Amendment

Following the Part I amendment to rewrite the sign regulations to be content-neutral, Part II focused on a broader review of sign policies in Fairfax County. From December 2021 to May 2022, staff conducted initial outreach and education, highlighting the existing regulations and soliciting feedback on what changes should be considered as a part of the Part II Amendment. 

Adopted Text

The Board of Supervisors adopted the Signs Part II Zoning Ordinance amendment on November 21, 2023. The adopted text is included in the link below.

View Adopted Amendment Text

Related Resources

Staff Report
Memo to Planning Commission (10/18/2023)
Memo to Planning Commission - Staff Responses (11/13/2023)

Most notably, the amendment included the following changes:

  • Revisions of the nighttime brightness limitations for electronic display signs in Planned, Commercial, and Industrial districts. The maximum nit level was increased to 300 nits; signs in these districts located within 150 feet of a lot developed with a single-family dwelling with electronic displays that are visible to such lots are limited to 100 nits;
  • Consolidation of the comprehensive sign plan (CSP), special exception (SE), and special permit (SP) sign applications into a unified SE application type, featuring revised review criteria and new submission requirements;
  • Removal of the interpretation applying size limitations for signs in or adjacent to reserved parking spaces, such as electric vehicle charging spaces or mobile pickup parking spaces;
  • Allowance of a four-square-foot illuminated or electronic window sign;
  • Requirement for subdivision signs to be located solely at major vehicular entrances within an easement recorded for signage purposes or a common area;
  • Permission for multifamily buildings to opt for building-mounted signage instead of a freestanding sign;
  • Allowance of any number of drive-through use ordering boards (up to 20 feet in size); and
  • Reduction of the appeal timeframe for minor signs.

Community Engagement

Signs Education and Outreach Lunch and Learn
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Meeting Recording

Signs Education and Outreach Community Meeting
Thursday, January 27, 2022

Great Falls Citizen Association
Thursday, February 10, 2022 

Signs Outreach Meeting with Faith and Non-Profit Leaders
Tuesday, February 15, 2022 

Braddock Land Use and Environment Committee
Tuesday, February 15, 2022 

Signs Outreach Meeting with Faith and Non-Profit Leaders
Tuesday, February 22, 2022 

Mason District Council
Wednesday, February 23, 2022 

Mount Vernon Civic Association 
Monday, March 7, 2022

Hunter Mill Land Use Committee
Tuesday, March 15, 2022

McLean Citizen Association
Tuesday, March 29, 2022 

Lee District Land Use Committee
Monday, April 11, 2022

Providence District Council
Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Planning Commission Land Use Process Review Committee
Thursday, May 12, 2022 

Sully District Land Use and Transportation
Monday, May 16, 2022 

Board of Supervisors’ Land Use Policy Committee
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Land Use Policy Committee Presentation  |  Signs Part II – Preliminary Concepts 

Board of Supervisors’ Land Use Policy Committee
Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Planning Commission’s Land Use Process Review Committee
Thursday, May 25, 2023 

Signs Part II ZOA Lunch and Learn
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Meeting Video

Signs Part II ZOA Community Meeting 
Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Planning Commission Public Hearings
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 & Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Board of Supervisors Public Hearing
Tuesday, November 21, 2023

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